vertigo and ms

question: My adventure with neuro and search for ms dx started when I had a severe caase of vertigo.  Woke up at night and room was spinning so bad I felt like I would either throw up or pass out.  DH told me not to worry and get back to sleep. Happened two more times that night.  Went away next day but I was wiped out enough that I needed 3 days off from work.

First MRi w/o contrast showed lesion and cavitation in white matter.

BUT...neuro keeps telling me that the vertigo attack has nothing to do with mri results.  Confused!  Most people here tend to mention dizziness and fatigue as symptoms yet this neuro keeps telling me they are not in my case....

What do you think?  Thank you.

[BondyinOz]

Well I have no DX but I have had vertigo quite frequently in the past 7 months and my doc thinks MS, but I haven't had an MRI yet. Maybe the vertigo is unrelated, it's possible I guess?

I get dizziness and fatigue for sure but that is different to vertigo too. Vertigo is like the severe spinning and often accompanied by nausea, whereas dizziness for me is like an unbalanced feeling like I'm on a boat, swaying to and fro and feeling lightheaded etc. But that's just me.

Mel :-)

[Heather3418]

What Mel has said is very typical of MS, but can be from other causes.  But Mel shows definite signs of MS, so in her case, it's probably MS.  Hopefully not, but suspicious of MS.

Your MRI is suggestive of demyelinating disease, which can have causes other than MS.  But again, having lesions in the white matter, definitely needs following up and further investigation.

Heather

[pennst8r]

I used to have that spinning till you want to throw up feeling. It was benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. You may have seen some posts on it recently. It is basically crystals in the semi-circular canals in your ear that get "unruly" and are floating about where they should not be. There is a very simple maneuver that an ENT or neuro-otologist can do that should take care of it. Mine was a little stubborn and took a few goes before it "went". Worth a look.

Penn

[Patsull813]

Okay, see this is what is worrying me.  It sounds like you all are saying vertigo (spinning sensation) is not indicative of ms.  Dizziness and trouble walking is.  Neuro tested my eyes and reflexes for the BPPV and did not see any evidence of such.  Now, I am suspicious that my problem might only be inner ear issue but neuro is sending me for an lp on Monday.  I know I should go thru with it but feel like this is a wild goose chase.  

[BondyinOz]

I would probably go ahead with the LP - I know it's a big deal but if you really want to rule stuff out I guess it's a a big test to get done to do that. Better to find out one way or another.

Mel :-)

[pennst8r]

If you already have an lp scheduled, I would go through with it. It will give you information that you may need later. I just had one 2 weeks ago.

Spinning sensation, I think, is more of an inner ear issue. I also have balance issues that are not related to my ears -  feeling off balance, walking into doorways etc.

Especially to clarify the info from your MRI, I would go through with it.

Penn

[TonkaSpirit]

Hi There,
How is Australia?  I hope you are feeling better.  I have the same rolly feeling, like I am walking on waves or just got off a boat.  Lightheaded too.  I just thought I would share.  Sometimes I feel like I am in a dream state, like I can't totally concentrate on anything, even when I try. It is a extremely frustrating experience because you know what it is like to be steady and think normally but you can't reach it.  Like clouds in your head that won't blow away.  Happy Thanksgiving!
Terrie

[BondyinOz]

Hi there,
Australia is fine - we just elected a new Prime Minister yesterday, all terribly exciting stuff.

Yes, the rolly feeling, lightheaded like maybe you need sugar or something but you don't (I've tried). I feel in that dream state quite often, although I'm starting to feel more lucid. I still seem to 'lose time' though at a lengthier rate now.

Mel :-)

[Michela11]

It's a new era!! (Sorry everyone, but this change of government in Australia is pretty historic)

AND - I live in Bennelong!! (Howard's ex-seat - He held it for 33 years)

I felt a very great sense of achievement voting yesterday.

I will write to you soon .... feeling OK generally, burning is way down, Lhermitte's also much milder  but very fatigued unfortunately.

But the happiest I have been in months.....  let's see Kyoto ratified!!!